Watch Tyrant
- 2014
- 3 Seasons
-
7.9 (15,977)
Tyrant is a political drama that premiered on the FX network in 2014. Created by Gideon Raff, the show follows the story of Bassam "Barry" Al-Fayeed, a pediatrician who has been living in the United States for the past twenty years. Barry is married to an American woman named Molly and has two teenage children, Sammy and Emma.
Despite being a successful doctor, Barry has a complicated history. He is the son of Khaled Al-Fayeed, the dictatorial ruler of the fictional Middle Eastern country of Abuddin. Barry left Abuddin two decades ago and has not returned since. However, when his nephew's wedding takes place in Abuddin, Barry decides to take his family back to his home country for the first time in twenty years.
Once in Abuddin, Barry is faced with a different reality than the one he left behind. Khaled is still in power and the country is in an ongoing state of turmoil. Barry's brother, Jamal, is Khaled's heir and is tasked with running the country until Khaled dies or abdicates the throne. As a result of his time away, Barry does not have the trust or respect of his family. Jamal is especially suspicious of him and sees him as a traitor for leaving the country behind.
As the show progresses, Barry attempts to reconcile with his family and find a path forward in Abuddin. He becomes more involved in the politics of the country and attempts to institute democratic reforms. However, his efforts are continuously thwarted by the power-hungry Jamal and his army of loyalists. Barry also finds himself drawn to a woman named Daliyah, a schoolteacher who is also a fierce opponent of Jamal's regime.
Throughout the series, Barry is forced to grapple with the realities of the country he left behind. He must navigate a complex web of family loyalty, political intrigue, and personal relationships. Additionally, he must confront difficult moral questions and make decisions that will have far-reaching consequences for himself and those he loves.
The cast of Tyrant is led by Adam Rayner, who plays the show's central character, Barry. Rayner is a British actor who has appeared in several other television shows and films. He is joined by Jennifer Finnigan, who plays Barry's wife, Molly. Finnigan is a Canadian actress who has starred in a number of television series over the years. Other key members of the cast include Ashraf Barhom, Fares Fares, Moran Atias, Anne Winters, Alice Krige, Justin Kirk, and Chris Noth.
Tyrant is known for its intense and thought-provoking storytelling. The show has been praised for its ability to tackle complex political issues in a nuanced and engaging way. It also features strong performances from the cast, particularly Rayner, who is able to convey the turmoil and conflict within his character with subtlety and depth.
The show's creators have been open about their desire to explore issues surrounding power and the nature of leadership. They have noted that the show is not meant to be a documentary about a particular Middle Eastern country, but rather an exploration of the complex and sometimes difficult issues that arise in any country where power is centralized in the hands of a few.
Tyrant ran for three seasons on FX between 2014 and 2016. Despite critical acclaim, the show struggled in the ratings and was ultimately cancelled due to low viewership. However, many fans and critics have continued to praise the show's storytelling and performances, and it remains a notable entry in the political drama genre.
Tyrant is a series that ran for 3 seasons (32 episodes) between June 24, 2014 and on FX